FL was very lucky this year

[logybogy]

Yeah four hurricanes suck, but it could have been a lot worse.

There was no direct hit from a large Cat 4/5 storm in a large metro area.(charley hit relatively sparsely populated Charlotte County)

The day of reckoning is coming, though.

One of these days we'll see a Cat 4/5 come into Tampa head on and then cross the state and decimate Central Florida's vulnerable inland communities and wipe Polk, Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Volusia off the map in one fell swoop.

One of these days we'll get the Big one, a direct hit from a Cat 5 with a large wind field into Miami/Ft. Lauderdale/Palm Beach that will leave 1 million + homeless and cause greater than $100 billion in damages.

This year was bad, but the future is scarier. Because these type of worst case scenarios described above will happen, whether next year, in 5 years, 15 years, 30 years.

It's only a matter of time.

[tronbunny]

that's a very gloomy thought.
This is a real disaster movie topic.
Why so negative?
Maybe we can be well-prepared.
Man, and will we be ready for that New Madrid quake when it comes.

[Innotech]

its not just gloomy, it is inevitable.

[TheShrimper]

Little hint there Logybogy, this season isn't over yet. Let something get going in the W. Carribean, just far enough south where it will miss the frontal troughs and stregnthen for days. Sooner or later it will get picked up and make it's speedy trek NW,N,and NE. There seems to be a threat every year in Oct and Nov. Unfortunately, we can not write off this season. I am mentally and physically drained, but realize there will most likely be another threat this season.

[sfwx]

Of course it "could've" been worse, but so could any disaster. It SUCKS here and it is bad!!! Are you down here in Florida? Do you see the people wandering around with a dazed look on their faces? Do you see all the children crying beacuse they are hungry or don't have a roof? Do you see all the buisnesses that have been totaled and all the people who have lost jobs? Do you see the schools that have all been damaged and will be closed for weeks? Do you have a clue? Come on down and I'll show you around.

Eric

[yzerfan]

As someone who has lived in both Florida and in an area close enough to New Madrid we had an earthquake rider on our renter's insurance, Florida's a lot better equipped to handle The Big One than western Tennessee is. Talk about an area that seemingly has no real building codes compared to here...

[kcjax]

Glad to hear none of those storms are coming to Jacksonville.
I keep hearing we are tucked in nice and immune from direct hits. (Meanwhile, we are budgeting for real hurricane shutters...)

[Stephanie]

Glad to hear none of those storms are coming to Jacksonville.
I keep hearing we are tucked in nice and immune from direct hits. (Meanwhile, we are budgeting for real hurricane shutters...)

Good idea!!!

[FloridaDiver]

its not just gloomy, it is inevitable.

And so is the big meteor that will pummel the Earth, striking it with the force of 100 times the complete nuclear arsenal of both super powers and all life as we know it will change or exit it’s existence like Godzilla and all her (does anyone know if Godzilla was male or female?), Dinosaur relatives. The point is why worry about it now? Yes we must be “prepared” but there are some things coming that all the preparation we do can not change the outcome. If a major Cat 5 bull’s-eyes a major metropolitan, say Miami or Tampa area, it is only logical that the devastation will be like nothing we have experience before, Ivan and Andrew damage would pale in comparison..

ok how does that song go again… oh yes, “Don’t worry.. be happy!”

[TheShrimper]

Ifg I am not mistaken sfwx, the kids here in SW Fla. have spent more days at home than at school since it started in mid August. Lee, and especially Charlotte and De Soto have cancelled school so many times, they will probably have to go all summer. I know they are combining High schools in Charlotte, but that only goes so far. I know exactly what you are saying. Y'all are in the same boat I am sure.

[cape_escape]

It's been a rough year for all Floridians...But, we're tough...right?

[yzerfan]

As long as the temperature doesn't go below 50F, at which time everyone gets all wimpy and starts whining about it being insanely cold.

[Noah]

Yeah four hurricanes suck, but it could have been a lot worse.

There was no direct hit from a large Cat 4/5 storm in a large metro area.(charley hit relatively sparsely populated Charlotte County)

The day of reckoning is coming, though.

One of these days we'll see a Cat 4/5 come into Tampa head on and then cross the state and decimate Central Florida's vulnerable inland communities and wipe Polk, Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Volusia off the map in one fell swoop.

One of these days we'll get the Big one, a direct hit from a Cat 5 with a large wind field into Miami/Ft. Lauderdale/Palm Beach that will leave 1 million + homeless and cause greater than $100 billion in damages.

This year was bad, but the future is scarier. Because these type of worst case scenarios described above will happen, whether next year, in 5 years, 15 years, 30 years.

It's only a matter of time.

How Dare YOU!!!! Where do you live? Hvae you come to florida or polk county where they have been hit 3 times? Because we are not all dead means Fl was lucky?? Are floridians lucky in their minds and hearts who have gone weary and tired over the mental drain of preperation, the finances of evacuating? Charlotte county sparce??? My friend..i have lived there for 15 years and the county is very large and populated now.. they had severe devastation due to charley!! you anger me, my family lives there and some of them lost ALOT! A few of my friends houses were blown out the back of their homes, they lived on charlotte harbor. Punta gorda florida.. people are homeless living in tents. I went down there the day after charley..i saw with my own eys what the media cant dream to show you on the news, you cant get the scope. Saying florida is lucky?? And its only a matter of time? Because MAJOR cities as you call it have not been hit with a cat 5 you say florida is lucky?? Take a tour through florida, see the homeless weary and tired. Or shut the $%$#@ up with your oppinion.. your sensitivity is nonexistent.

[TampaBayBee]

Yeah four hurricanes suck, but it could have been a lot worse. [snip]

One of these days we'll see a Cat 4/5 come into Tampa [snip]
One of these days we'll get the Big one [snip]
This year was bad, but the future is scarier. [snip]

It's only a matter of time.

My guess is that you are any or all of the following:

a) very young
b) live in Tampa
c) don't travel outside of your neighborhood

[JenyEliza]

Yeah four hurricanes suck, but it could have been a lot worse.

There was no direct hit from a large Cat 4/5 storm in a large metro area.(charley hit relatively sparsely populated Charlotte County)

The day of reckoning is coming, though.

One of these days we'll see a Cat 4/5 come into Tampa head on and then cross the state and decimate Central Florida's vulnerable inland communities and wipe Polk, Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Volusia off the map in one fell swoop.

One of these days we'll get the Big one, a direct hit from a Cat 5 with a large wind field into Miami/Ft. Lauderdale/Palm Beach that will leave 1 million + homeless and cause greater than $100 billion in damages.

This year was bad, but the future is scarier. Because these type of worst case scenarios described above will happen, whether next year, in 5 years, 15 years, 30 years.

It's only a matter of time.

I think you're right that FL has a lot to be grateful for (so far). Even if it doesn't seem so to the people who've lived through this season in FL, it really really could have been worse in terms of human casualties and property damage.

That said...bite your tongue about the inland Cent. FL devastation. I've got famly in Seminole and Volusia. I'd really like that their counties stay right where they are and that they continue to remain safe.

Jeny

[mf_dolphin]

How about all three? While I agree it could have been worse, this has been a year that won't be forgotten for a long long time. Tampa did dodge a few bullets but there hunderds of thousands of people that didn't. You definitely get no points for sensitivity....

[Rainband]

Your post was in VERY!!Very bad taste. MANY people have lost everything. Sorry, but think before you post!!

[donsutherland1]

With all due respect, there is nothing "lucky" about being blasted by 3 major hurricanes and a Category 2 storm all in the same season. There is genuine suffering in Florida and people have suffered enormous personal, financial, and psychological losses. Life in the stricken areas is difficult and many things that we take for granted are more like luxuries at this point in time there. There is substantial economic damage, as well.

[JenyEliza]

Your post was in VERY!!Very bad taste. MANY people have lost everything. Sorry, but think before you post!!

Sorry if my post caused any upset. Surely I didn't intend to. My parents are in Volusia, and they're absolutely wiped out from Charley, Frances and Jeanne. Emotionally, physically, and (almost) financially.

Yet, my Dad still recognized this morning in the e-mail he got out to us that they had plenty to be grateful for and realized that they were quite lucky to have their lives, and moderately damaged home. That's basically the perspective my agreement w/orginal poster came from.

I do realize that some people in FL lost everything--including the most precious of all possessions--their lives. I don't think that's "lucky", and I recognize that it will be a LONG time before Floridian survivors can pick up the pieces and get on with their lives. My prayers (and dollars) have been sent on the way to help.

Big hugs to all you Floridians. You're made of much tougher stuff than I am!!

Jeny

[Noah]

Your post was in VERY!!Very bad taste. MANY people have lost everything. Sorry, but think before you post!!

Sorry if my post caused any upset. Surely I didn't intend to. My parents are in Volusia, and they're absolutely wiped out from Charley, Frances and Jeanne. Emotionally, physically, and (almost) financially.

Yet, my Dad still recognized this morning in the e-mail he got out to us that they had plenty to be grateful for and realized that they were quite lucky to have their lives, and moderately damaged home. That's basically the perspective my agreement w/orginal poster came from.

I do realize that some people in FL lost everything--including the most precious of all possessions--their lives. I don't think that's "lucky", and I recognize that it will be a LONG time before Floridian survivors can pick up the pieces and get on with their lives. My prayers (and dollars) have been sent on the way to help.

Big hugs to all you Floridians. You're made of much tougher stuff than I am!!

Jeny

take a trip to florida jeny and see.. your eyes will tell you and break your heart.. Help in anyway you can.. because one day you may need us honey.